Do We Really Need Another Type of Narcissist?

1. Grandiose Narcissism

• Also Known As: Overt Narcissism

• Traits: Arrogance, attention-seeking, entitlement, dominance, lack of empathy

• Subtypes/Forms:

  • Somatic Narcissist: Focuses on appearance, physical health, and sexual conquest

  • Cerebral Narcissist: Derives superiority from intelligence and intellect

2. Vulnerable Narcissism

• Also Known As: Covert Narcissism

• Traits: Insecurity, hypersensitivity to criticism, passive-aggressiveness, victim mentality

• Subtypes/Forms:

  • Communal Narcissist: Seeks admiration by appearing altruistic or morally superior

  • Maladaptive Covert Narcissist: Appears introverted and sensitive but is manipulative underneath

3. Malignant Narcissism

• Traits: A combination of narcissism, antisocial behaviour, aggression, and sadism

• Often includes: Paranoia, cruelty, and pleasure in others’ pain

• Note: Seen as bordering on or overlapping with psychopathy

4. Somatic Narcissism (Also under grandiose but sometimes listed separately)

• Traits: Obsession with body, sex appeal, fitness, or physical beauty

• Behaviour: Uses physical appearance or sexuality to manipulate or gain control

5. Cerebral Narcissism

• Traits: Believes in superior intellect, wit, or knowledge

• Behaviour: Uses intellectual superiority to belittle or dismiss others

6. Communal Narcissism

• Traits: Claims to be selfless, charitable, and moral

• Behaviour: Craves admiration for being a “good person” or doing community service

7. Inverted Narcissism (Controversial and debated)

• Traits: A person who appears codependent but is seen as a “mirror” narcissist, attracted to and enabling narcissists

• Often overlaps with: Covert narcissism or trauma-bonding

8. Spiritual Narcissism

• Traits: Uses spiritual beliefs to feel superior or manipulate others

• Behaviour: Claims enlightenment or moral authority while dismissing others' experiences

9. Parental Narcissism

• Traits: Seeks validation through parenting role, may live through their children

• Types:

  • Engulfing Narcissistic Parent: Controls child’s identity

  • Ignoring Narcissistic Parent: Neglects child emotionally or physically

10. Sexual Narcissism

• Traits: Uses sex for validation or control; lacks empathy for sexual partners

• Behaviour: May conflate sexual performance with self-worth

11. Corporate/Workplace Narcissism

• Traits: Manipulative leadership, exploitation of employees, entitlement in professional settings

• Forms:

  • Toxic Boss/Leader Narcissist

  • Status-Obsessed Peer Narcissist

12. Somatopsychic and Psychosomatic Narcissism (Emerging terms)

• Somatopsychic: Links body image with self-esteem in a narcissistic way

• Psychosomatic: Uses illness or vulnerability for narcissistic gain

13. Echoism (Not a narcissist, but often included in discussions)

• Traits: Fear of being perceived as narcissistic, avoids attention, struggles to assert needs

• Considered: A result of being raised by or in relationship with a narcissist

Notes:

• DSM-5 only officially recognizes Narcissistic Personality Disorder (NPD) without these subtypes.

• Many of these labels are popularized through books, online communities, therapists, and influencers rather than being rooted in hard clinical diagnosis.

• Critics argue this trend can pathologize normal behaviour or promote over-diagnosis and blame-shifting and I am one of those critics.

In a World Obsessed with Diagnosis

it's easy to believe that the more specific the label, the closer we get to closure. But over-pathologizing our exes doesn’t heal us—it distracts us. It keeps the focus outward, locking us in a loop of analyzing their dysfunction instead of tending to our own pain, needs, and growth.

Healing isn’t about becoming fluent in narcissistic terminology; it’s about becoming fluent in yourself—your patterns, your desires, your truth.

In my next blog post, I’ll go deeper into how researching narcissism can quietly sabotage your healing and keep you emotionally tethered to the very person you’re trying to move on from.

Stay with me—real freedom begins when we stop studying them and start reclaiming us.

Schedule your complimentary session. You'll be taking a powerful step to creating your bold, unapologetic life. Link to schedule - https://tidycal.com/unapologetically-you/introductorysession